Layoff twist: Choose who keeps their job

Just when you thought getting laid off near the holidays couldn’t get any worse, there’s the arrangement the Kansas City Star apparently put forth to veteran reporters Karen Dillon and Dawn Bormann.

The two women were told this week that one would be leaving the paper involuntarily.

Here’s the catch: They had to decide between themselves which one it would be.

KCConfidential.com reports that the reporters were told that only one of them can continue in her job. Because Dillon had seniority, she had the right to take the layoff package being offered or pass on it. If she passed, then Bormann would be booted.

Star management was vilified yesterday on Jim Romenesko’s Facebook page and on Twitter for the “Hunger Games”-esque scenario.

Though K.C. management has not confirmed the arrangement, Romenesko received confirmation of the validity of the report from Dillon, who broke the story of Paul “Pee Wee Herman” Reuben’s arrest for lewd conduct at a movie theater back in 1991.

KCConfidential.com reported last night that Bormann will be leaving.

Tags: Dawn Bormann, hunger games, Jim Romenesko, kansas city star, Karen Dillon, layoffs, newspaper layoffs, paper cuts, Pee Wee Herman, reporters, this week